Label: Zoë/Rounder
Blues
This is a spectacular offering from a real guitar virtuoso, whose tonal pallete is as rich as that of any player I have ever heard. If you think of Chris Duarte as 'just' a Texas techno flash guitar slinger, then think again. Certainly, musical references to Hendrix and Stevie Ray are not hard to find but they are conveyed in a context that Duarte makes his own: this is mastery, not mimicry. This album is an absolute treat and after playing it about 30 times I still hear something new every time I hit 'play'. I have only heard the excellent 'Strat Magic' album previously but this is a whole new ball game, and better.
Air guitarists will not be able to resist Romp, 101 or Like Eric, whilst dyed in the wool blues fans will slake their thirst on numbers like B flat Blues and Take It To The Lord. However the album's tour de force is Last Night. This is just under 10 minutes of brooding malevolence and possessed (yet controlled) guitar playing. Frankly it is worth buying the album for by itself.
Mention should also be made of Duarte's strong, but never overbearing, vocals and the production is wonderfully open and detailed: I could have sworn this was analog recording (it wasn't!).
Two recommendations: Buy this album and play it loud.
By Richard Pratt.
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Chris Duarte- Guitar, Vocals
John Jordan- Bass
Ed Miles- Drums
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01. Do the Romp (Kimbrough) 4:13
02. 101 (Duarte) 5:18
03. Fire's Gone Out (Duarte) 4:15
04. Like Eric (Duarte) 3:49
05. My, My (Duarte, Herring, Jordan, Miles) 4:53
06. One More Cup (Dylan) 6:17
07. B Flat Blues (Duarte) 3:34
08. Last Night (Duarte) 9:26
09. Mr. Neighbor (Duarte) 4:55
10. Take It to the Lord (Duarte) 4:21
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